BloatedGuppy said:
Smallells said:
So I've seen numerous threads about you guys talking about XCOM. It seems you like it quite a bit! As a general rule anyway...
What I want know is; is it approachable for someone who is fairly new to strategy games?
I don't know how good I'd be - chances are I'm quite rubbish at them. But, in your opinion, would I stand any chance in enjoying it? Or does it really require some strategy game experience?
Am I saying that right? Strategy game? Is that how you say it?
Approachable to a newcomer? Yes. Especially on Normal, which is very forgiving. Once you have a firm grasp of the mechanics, I'd elevate the game to Ironman and/or Classic, which is how the game is best enjoyed. XCOM is at its best when your plans are on the knife's edge of disaster.
I think the odds are good you'd enjoy. Be warned it's still a little buggy.
Do not listen to poor losers who believe "The RNG is out to get them". They do not understand what "random" means, nor do they understand the concept of risk management.
I'm completely with this guy.
Man, we seem to see each other in these threads often, don't we?
It's important to distinguish between a "Strategy Game" and a "Tactics Game". A strategy game with a game that pits you non-stop against opponents in a continual one-upmanship, be it technological, military, or economical. A tactics game is a game with segment conflicts with detailed and consistent battlefield rules, normally with an aspect of randomness.
Civilization, Age of Empires, and Sins of a Solar Empire are strategy games.
Fire Emblem, FTL, and XCOM are tactics games (although XCOM has an element of strategy, but it's not the meat of the game).
All said and done, XCOM is a very good game. It requires careful thinking, painful decisions, sacrifice, observation and risk management, but it's so very rewarding when it all comes together. Note that it is a SLOW game. You can move as fast as you want, but you will regret it on higher difficulties unless you move slowly and carefully.
Also, on your first playthrough, don't be afraid to save-scum (ie. save your game often and in multiple slots, so you can undo major mistakes). You should be learning the ropes in anticipation for your second playthrough, which should be done with minimal saving. The game is at its absolute best when your plans can go belly-up in one bad move.